Switchfast Blog: The Future of IT
Strength in Small Business IT Brings Strength in Innovation
Wednesday, June 23, 2010 by Matt Hymel
Consumer technology has stolen the spotlight over recent years.
The evolution of social media and mobile communications has
transferred power from big businesses to consumers. The tools of
workplace efficiency and the field of enterprise software have
steadily grown into a system of user-friendly business-capable
selections. The road to success relies heavily on how familiar and
comfortable your employees are with their respective enterprise
tools. With diversity in technological preference, the opportunity
for innovation exposes employees' drive and determination.
In a recent study done by IBM and the Securities Industry and
Financial Markets Association (SIFMA), an article over at
Networkworld.com points out that a good percentage of financial
enterprises are preparing for higher investments in IT. Here are
some of results according to 240 Wall Street IT professionals and
business managers, ranging from large and small firms:
- Half of the firms plan on devoting 20-30% of their 2010 (and
2011) IT budgets to 'new initiatives', a separate dedication from
normal maintenance and upgrades
- 61% expect to invest more in cloud computing, 47% more on
mobile technologies
- 90% plan to increase spending in technology risk analytics, or
"building intelligence around risk," according to the article
- 90% plan on outsourcing one or more processes
The data shows that companies grow more confident in the
direction of the economy and the benefits of IT investments.
Employees are combining their daily, personal get-it-done
techniques and programs with their work tasks and seeing a
productivity increase. As consumers carry their do-it-yourself
methods over to the workplace, businesses try to monitor security
and fragmentation without stunting enterprise innovation.
An excellent article from ZDNet.com written by
Ted Schadler speaks of these innovation possibilities - and the
steps it takes to accomplish a stable, accomplished IT setup that
"empowers" employees and customers. The title of the article speaks
for itself: "Empowered customers need empowered employees need
empowered IT."
He explains that 37% of US information workers (defined as
employees that use computers for work) use do-it-yourself
technology to get work done, including programs like Skype, Google
Docs, or Smartsheet.com. While IT may struggle to keep up with all
these advancements, Schadler reiterates that "people are problem
solvers," and this idea of do-it-yourself technology is "covert
innovation - employees solving business problems at the ground
level, being productive by harnessing new tools."
What does this all mean for small business? IT is the first step
in the empowerment transition - Keep your IT secure, flexible, and
advancing. Employees will explore efficiency tools inside and
outside the workplace, using the clearest, simplest method to
solving business problems. IT companies must be able to adjust to
your specific environment and the tools needed to succeed - whether
they are more or less traditional.
As Schadler points out, "the challenge is to support innovation
while keeping the company safe." An empowered IT organization
working under a refreshing, stable set of principles will provide
just the right level of empowerment to keep your employees
efficient.
Until Next Time -
Matthew Hymel
Switchfast Technologies
Chicago IT Support &
Consulting
Rochester
IT Support & Consulting
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